Tusa Bcd
- Thread starter Mad Max
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Mad Max:
Problem is, those names are pretty generic. There is a Platina Evolution, a Platina cubic, and in imprex there are multiple bcs, imprex 3800, imprex 4500, etc.
But over all, Tusa is very good quality stuff, and stands behind it better than almost any other company I've seen. I used Tusa BC's a long time before I started to diving Zeagles, and I liked them a lot.
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Based on my early experiences with TUSA, I'm inclined to agree with Larry that it's pretty good stuff for the price. Keep in mind that TUSA is not targeting the high-end market, and their prices reflect that. They are targeting the recreational diver who isn't going to push the envelope, and doesn't need gear that meets extreme demands. If that's you, then their gear is worth considering.
To give you context regarding my following comments, I started out with TUSA products (BCD and regulator) and was very happy with them till my diving reached a level where the gear was no longer appropriate to the type of diving I wanted to do. As to their newer products, I can only base my comments on what I observe from dive buddies who use TUSA gear.
My very first BCD was a TUSA Imprex Pro, which I used for over 200 dives until a piece of the assembly that held the cylinder on the BCD broke. I sent it back to TUSA, and they sent me a brand new BCD, saying my old one couldn't be repaired. Can't ask for better customer service than that.
As to the original question, you have to ask yourself whether you want a jacket-style (Platina) or back-inflate (Imprex) BCD. Back when I dived something other than backplates, I had a preference for the latter ... but YMMV.
One functional consideration is the tank harness. TUSA uses very soft webbing, which has a tendency to stretch. I know a few people who use the Evolution, which is a single-strap harness, who have experienced the issue of their cylinders coming loose underwater due to the stretchiness of the webbing material. You can fix that problem by wetting the band and "walking" the buckle as you tighten it. Tobin has another fix that's quite effective ... those little rubber "tension" pads he sells. I gave one to a friend who dives the Evolution and when she ended the dive the cylinder was still firmly in place even though you could see that the strap had stretched and loosened during the dive.
Which is another reason I prefer the Imprex ... it has a dual-strap tank harness. The one "knock" ... if you can even call it that ... to their design is that you need to play around with the tension straps on either side of the tank harness to achieve just the right amount of tension. But once you get it right, cylinder stability is very good.
If you're the occasional recreational diver who doesn't want to spend a fortune, TUSA is good gear to consider. It's not top-quality stuff, but it's very good quality for the price ... and the company does stand behind what they sell. You can do far worse for the price range.
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
To give you context regarding my following comments, I started out with TUSA products (BCD and regulator) and was very happy with them till my diving reached a level where the gear was no longer appropriate to the type of diving I wanted to do. As to their newer products, I can only base my comments on what I observe from dive buddies who use TUSA gear.
My very first BCD was a TUSA Imprex Pro, which I used for over 200 dives until a piece of the assembly that held the cylinder on the BCD broke. I sent it back to TUSA, and they sent me a brand new BCD, saying my old one couldn't be repaired. Can't ask for better customer service than that.
As to the original question, you have to ask yourself whether you want a jacket-style (Platina) or back-inflate (Imprex) BCD. Back when I dived something other than backplates, I had a preference for the latter ... but YMMV.
One functional consideration is the tank harness. TUSA uses very soft webbing, which has a tendency to stretch. I know a few people who use the Evolution, which is a single-strap harness, who have experienced the issue of their cylinders coming loose underwater due to the stretchiness of the webbing material. You can fix that problem by wetting the band and "walking" the buckle as you tighten it. Tobin has another fix that's quite effective ... those little rubber "tension" pads he sells. I gave one to a friend who dives the Evolution and when she ended the dive the cylinder was still firmly in place even though you could see that the strap had stretched and loosened during the dive.
Which is another reason I prefer the Imprex ... it has a dual-strap tank harness. The one "knock" ... if you can even call it that ... to their design is that you need to play around with the tension straps on either side of the tank harness to achieve just the right amount of tension. But once you get it right, cylinder stability is very good.
If you're the occasional recreational diver who doesn't want to spend a fortune, TUSA is good gear to consider. It's not top-quality stuff, but it's very good quality for the price ... and the company does stand behind what they sell. You can do far worse for the price range.
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
waterwraith
Contributor
Mad Max:
Both types of TUSA BC's are great for the price. I dove the Imprex pro 4900 a fewtimes and it was great. The only drawback was that the Integrated weights set on the kidneys. TUSA changed that design in the imprex pro 5900.
RICHinNC
Contributor
Since you said....any opinions.... go to www.northeastscubasupply.com and check out their $449 DiveRite bp and wing offer.....High quality at a great price and fully warranteed by DR....
Mad Max:
Too bad you're not in the area, I'd invite you down to hit our pool and try them out... But for me, Back inflate. The 5900 is a very nice bc... or there is always zeagle too.. Either one will give you a great warranty, and the companies really stand behind them.
imprex pro is a little to builk... but other then that its great? plus got it for a great price. the nija pocket is great i use it to keep all my clips, slates, lightsticks all togeather in my car so i wont lose anything...
scubacopper
Registered
I got the tusa platina evoloution as part of my kit package, and I have to say that I love it. Whilst I gain my experience and do all the courses that I want to do to go up the ladder, I think it will serve me well. In the distant future I can see going tech will be the way to go, and the whole DIR thing might lead to a new line of kit.....but that's years away yet.
Anyway....I find my BCD comfy, easy to use, and as I gain more experience with it, I find that I am able to use it more efficiently.
Anyway....I find my BCD comfy, easy to use, and as I gain more experience with it, I find that I am able to use it more efficiently.
scubacopper
Registered
I have the Tusa platina evoloution and have found that it is comfy and fits really well. Great bit of kit. It all came in my kit package when I started diving last year, and nearly all my gear is tusa....fins, mask, knives.......I find their kit solidly constructed, quality goods....I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone.
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